Your first 10 customers
- Noriko Yokoi
- Apr 16, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 9, 2024
For first-time founders, getting the first customer is difficult enough. Getting to the first 10 customers seems like an impossible feat.
You're wondering why it’s so difficult to find customers yet on the other hand, the ads make it seem so easy.
“Turn emails into revenue.”
“Convert audiences when they are most engaged.”
“How we boosted our ad engagement by 50% and you can too.”
“Build the ultimate tech stack to supercharge your startup’s success.”
Is there a missing piece of the puzzle that others seem to have? It's tempting to believe that constructing a funnel is a breeze – just hire a team of experts, and voila! The lead engine should kick into high gear, with prospects eagerly vying for your product or service.
If only it were so easy. Before you go and outsource your funnel development, let me share a very important idea with you.
You need to get your first 10 customers through hand-to-hand combat
Yes, you read that correctly. The phrase may sound ominous, evoking images of battle. However, it’s meant to emphasize the crucial role of your personal effort in acquiring your first 10 customers.
The Importance of Hand-to-Hand Combat
Why is this approach so critical? Because you need to understand what it takes to acquire each customer. The effort involved in identifying their pain points, persuading them to try your product, and retaining them as a customer is invaluable. For the first ten customers, your effort will feel monumental, like pushing a boulder up a mountain. But don't give up. The time you invest in finding and selling to these customers is not wasted. You'll continuously improve your product, marketing, and advertising campaigns. And even if it doesn't seem like it, you're moving closer to your first customer.
Why Hand-to-Hand Combat Works
First-hand feedback: Engaging directly with potential customers allows you to receive unfiltered feedback. You'll hear their objections, concerns, and what they truly need. This invaluable information can guide product development and refine your messaging.
Building Relationships: When you personally reach out to prospects, you're not just selling a product or service; you're building relationships. People are more likely to buy from someone they trust and have a connection with. These early relationships can turn into long-term partnerships and referrals.
Understanding the Market: No amount of market research can substitute for real-world interactions. By engaging in hand-to-hand combat, you'll gain firsthand insights into your target market's needs, pain points, and preferences. This knowledge is crucial for refining your offering and positioning it effectively.
Iterative Improvement: Entrepreneurship is about constant iteration and improvement. By actively participating in customer acquisition, you can quickly test different strategies, messaging variations, and value propositions. This rapid feedback loop accelerates your learning and helps you adapt to market dynamics more effectively.
But why specifically aim for 10 customers?
While the number itself is somewhat arbitrary, securing your first 10 customers represents a significant milestone for any startup. It demonstrates that there's genuine demand for your offering and validates your business model. Moreover, these initial customers can serve as advocates, providing testimonials and referrals that help attract more customers down the line.
Remember that marketing agencies excel at execution, they can't replace your intimate understanding of your business and its audience. Without this foundation, outsourcing marketing efforts blindly may lead to missed opportunities and ineffective campaigns, aka garbage in, garbage out.
Remember to rely on those with skin in the game
Before you delegate lead generation to a marketing agency, ensure you're the ultimate authority on your business. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will your venture. There is no such thing as a quick fix. Keep this mantra with you, always.
Let’s get back to where we started. You’re wondering whether to hire a marketing agency. Now that you have this hard-won knowledge, and you’ve gone through the combat zone to gain your first ten customers, you'll be better positioned to navigate the complexities of the market and drive success for your business.
Why are you recommending this? Aren’t you a marketing agency?
We specialize in early-stage startups. There’s no easy formula for success. Just good old hard work. Yes, AI and technology help, but they only help once you know what you’re doing. We’re here to be your partner to help you get your first 10 customers.
Additional Readings:
For more, please visit the-startupideation.com
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